In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond, I sit down with Dana to hear her experience from conception through labor and birth.

Dana shares how family expectations played a role in her decision to have a baby, the emotional highs and lows of her pregnancy, and how childbirth classes helped her feel more prepared. She opens up about the physical toll of her first trimester, finding energy in the second, and navigating placental calcification, which led to an earlier-than-expected delivery.

Her labor story includes powerful support from her mum and husband, a decision to have an epidural, and nearly two hours of pushing — a raw and relatable reminder that every birth unfolds in its own way.

In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond, I speak with Makenzie — also a doula based in Dubai — about the emotional and physical realities of life after birth.

Makenzie had a powerful birth experience, but the early postpartum days brought new challenges — from unexpected breastfeeding difficulties to figuring out sleep, healing a small labial tear, and learning to trust her instincts.

She speaks openly about needing company more than help, why she values second opinions, and how important it is to let go of the pressure to have a perfect postpartum.

This episode is a gentle, honest reminder that support, self-awareness, and small wins matter deeply in those early weeks.

In this episode of Mama Becoming: Birth & Beyond, I sit down with Makenzie — a fellow doula based in Dubai — to talk about her powerful and personal journey into motherhood.

After being told she might struggle to conceive, Makenzie experienced an ectopic pregnancy, followed by a threatened miscarriage early in her next pregnancy. Despite these early challenges, she went on to have an unmedicated water birth — shaped by deep trust in her body, her doctor, and her doula.

She shares openly about the emotional and physical journey through:

• ​Health challenges during conception and pregnancy
• ​Using education to transform fear into confidence
• ​Hiring a doula and the power of continuous support
• ​A calm, physiological birth supported by the fetal ejection reflex
• ​Reflections on hospital care — what felt supportive, and what didn’t

Makenzie’s story is a reminder that preparation, support, and self-trust can reshape birth into something strong and empowering.